The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-09-29
THE PARADE.


The Steady Rain Mars What Would Have
Been q Grand Display.
ST. LOUIS, Sept 2S.-The rain continues to
drop down steadily and with increasing show
ers. Everything is drenched and the ardor of
citizen and soldier is dampened. Thousands of
veterans, after waiting twenty-four hours in
rain to realize the promises of the signal service
of fair weather. have started for home. yet there
are many thousands left, and Grand Marshal
Grier has issued the order to prepare for a pa
ra6e. The army will move at 10 o'clock with
out fail.
The order to fall in for parade was received at
the various camps and headquarters shortly after
8 o'clock and the men tumhled out of tent and
room prepared for battle with the elements,
armed with rubber coats and umbrellas. trousers
rolled up and mind set to give ST. Louis the
promised procession. if not in overwhelming
numbers, at least with enough to make a good
showing of their appreciation OF the city's effort
to entertain them Shortly before IL
o'clock the column was formed.
and Grand Marshal Grier ordered
the escort of mounted police forward Then
followed the grand marshal, with his chief of
staff, Gen. A. j. Smith, and aids, Logan Post
of St. Louis, mounted, and Springfield. Mass,
battalion. special escorts to the commanderin-
chief. who followed a few yards behind. wrapped
in rubber coats. smiling and bowling to the
crowds who lined the streets. All along the
way he was greeted with applause. His staff of
riages. moving three abreast In which
were the War Governors and 9th
or honored guests In the lead one
occupied by Mayor Francis and Gen. W. Il.
Sherman. Although closely sheltered from the
rain and sight, the crowds on the sidewalks soon
found where the old commander was and cheer
upon cheer marked his progress down the street.
while frequently groups of men would rush from
shelter TO the carriage door to grasp his hand.
Then followed the divisions of che Grand Army,
souri, commanded by Col Nelson Cole were
given the right of the line. They had come
with several thousand, and even with the rain
and mud had a long column OF marching men,
The ten divisions were composed as follows:
First-Dspartmsnt of Missouri, Col. Nelson
Cole assistant marshal
Second-Department of Illinois, Col j. G.
Butler, assistant marshal
Third-Wisconsin. Pennsylvania and Ohio,
Governor Thomas G. Fletcher, assistant mar
shall.
Fourth-New York. Connecticut, Massaehu-
sets. Maine. New jersey and Virginia, Col. d.
P. Dyer. assistant marshal.
Fifth-California, New Hampshire, Vermont,
Potomac and Maryland Major Leo Rassaur, as
sistant marshal.
Sixth-Indiana, Major E. F. weicel assistant
marshal
Seventh-Iowa Nebraska and Colorado. Gen.
John Mcneil assistant marshal
Eighth-Kansas, Col John B. Gondolfo.
asslstant marshal
Ninth-Michigan, Minnesota, Delaware, West
Virginia, Washington Territory and Kentucky,
Col Chas. g. Sufel, assistant marshal.
Tentn-Arkans.s. Florida Gulf, Dakota
Oregon, New Mexico, Montana, Rhode Island
Tennessee. Georgia, Texas, Utah, Idaho.
Arizona, Brigade of Naval Veterans and Sons OF
Veterans, Capt Henry Zisenheim, assistant
marshal.
Here and there post armed with muskets or
a drum corps broke the monotony of the line
AS the column passed under the beautiful
stained glass transparency of General Grant on
Fourth street, between Locust and St Charles
Streets all the men uncovered their heads and
passed by in sencs
The head of the procession reached the Grand
Army arch, that spans Olive street at Twelfth,
at noon. and the mmander-in-chief, General
Sherman Vice.presidsnt Hannibal Hamlin, tho
war Governors and other distinguished guests
left thsir carriages and took their positions in
the grand stand, just east of the arch. Across
the street and facing tho grand stand, Grand
Marshal Grier and staff sat in their saddles
while the rain increased in volume, and for an
hour and half poured down on the heads Of the
passing soldiers. The Missou. contingent was
twenty-five minutes In passing, Illinois
The other States were represented
by posts and regiments. Along the
line of march were thousands of the boys in blue
who thought it too wet to march. In the bal
cony of the grand stand Commander-in- chief
Fairchild and General Sherman, partly protect
ed from this storm. bowed to the boys as they
rousing cheers that went up from each
post they fled by in company
front Here and there throughout the different
divisions marched a colered post and their
lutte was invariably a signal for applause from
those in the grand stand, which betirnes was
taken up by the crowd and prolonged into
hearty cheer. The dripping flags received
much boisterous notice, and as q squad carrying
the tattered remnants Of batte-flags passed by
the enthusiasm became unbounded. Throughout
the column occasional warrior carried cane
pole which wac dangling a chicken. leg of
mutton, side of bacon, cabbage, some other
representative of foraEing expedition or COM
missary's stores AS the right of the line reached
it's destination, the troops broke ranks and
hastened back to the reviewing stand, to
get glimpse of the commanders. They
came with such rush that they threatened the
destruction of the rest of the column. but the
mounted staff of the Illinois division soon
forced a way through the crowd and clsared
passage At half past o'clock the Sons of Vet
Grams brought up the rear, and the crowd made
rush for the grand stand to and shake
hands with Uncle Billy" The General refused
to respond to the numerous calls for a speech,
and finding opportunity slipped into car
riage and was quickly driven away.
After the Parade-General Notes.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.